September 19, 2025 (Lexington, KY) – Mid Mod Restoration wins Honor Award at the 2025 AIA Kentucky – AIA Indiana Convention in Lexington, KY.
This year’s jury was from AIA Oklahoma, who selected 16 design award-winners from a pool of 51 entries in 5 categories.
Mid Mod Restoration won the Honor Award in the Preservation/Adaptive-Use/Restoration Category. Jury Comment: “It’s almost impossible to distinguish between new and existing – in a good way. The design successfully employs a remarkable amount of restraint to honor the existing architecture.”
We believe this renovation is a strong example of how a thoughtful, informed collaboration can help preserve the legacy of a historic structure while meeting the needs of modern life. This project demonstrates that restoration and innovation can exist side-by-side in a meaningful and enduring way.
The list identifies and calls to attention those architects whose work, region-to-region, and state-to-state, stand apart for their elevated degree of overall excellence.
Back40House
Top 200 designation is based on a rigorous journalistic fact-finding and assessment, but with the noteworthy addition of direct involvement from an advisory board of leading experts in the American house. A total of 18,000 architect offices were assessed for the degree to which the single-family house is a part of their total repertoire. Those offices that advanced in the process provided work samples believed to be “exemplary” for the ways in which the work addresses the particulars of place. Each submission was then measured in accordance with Forbes Architecture’s three-tiered system.
Based on the noted criteria, Forbes selected Back40House to represent HAUS on the Forbes website.
January 11, 2024 (Indianapolis) – We are happy to report that HAUS was honored at the 2024 AIA Indianapolis Excellence in Architecture Gala for G BLOC Modern Live + Work!
Of 39 submissions, G BLOC was one of 10 to receive recognition at the event hosted at Indiana Landmarks in Indianapolis’ Old Northside historic district. The project received a Merit Award for Architecture (New Construction – Project Cost Less Than $5 Million).
Thanks to all project collaborators, and AIA Indianapolis for organizing and hosting another outstanding event to support community-building!
Of 44 submissions, G BLOC was one of 9 to receive recognition at the event. The project received a Merit Award for Architecture (New Construction – Project Cost Less Than $5 Million).
Thanks to all project collaborators, and AIA Indiana + AIA Kentucky for organizing and hosting another outstanding event to support community-building!
We are grateful to have received a design award for Back40House in Pendleton, Indiana at the AIA Indiana Design Awards 2022.
Paul and our clients participated in the ceremony, with the project receiving a Citation Award for Architecture (New Construction – Project Cost Less Than $5 Million).
Thanks to Brad and Nan Hayes for the opportunity to collaborate with them on the project’s architectural design, interior design, and construction management.
Thanks to AIA Indiana and award jurors for coordinating an excellent event!
Bridging environments | the award-winning, low-profile retreat that lightly touches its landscape, paying tribute to both its homeowners’ affinity for nature and art.
Dezeen Magazine features HAUS project in February 2018 – “Haus overhauls midcentury modern home in Indiana woods”. Check out the link and story here! This project is an example of a passionate client pulling together an excellent and complete team of professionals to dream and execute a complete vision inside and out. Thanks to everyone!
HAUS’ Broad Ripple Bungalow is featured in May 2016 Indy Monthly Magazine. Check out the spread here and scroll down. Check-out the online magazine link here.
San Francisco transplants turn the interior of a 1920s bungalow into their own Broad Ripple playground.
By Taylor Ellis
Photography by Tony Valainis
When Deborah Jacobs and Alan Leerkamp moved to Indy from California, they captured Broad Ripple’s playful, artsy spirit in their bungalow just south of the main strip like they’d been living in the area for years. That’s what happens – even if unintentionally – when great creative minds collaborate: Deborah, an art director and designer who has refurbished the homes of Google employees, partnered with HAUS, a local architecture studio with a contemporary edge, on a six-month renovation project. “They really get it,” says Chris Short, principal architect at HAUS. “Most people don’t have those kinds of [creative] interests and skills. We were speaking the same language.”
“Humbly and proudly I profess my competence under the discipline of architecture.
Upon my honor I promise unending devotion to the task of continually studying, learning, seeking, experimenting, that I may become ever better educated and trained for my work.
Upon my honor I promise to my community undeviating adherence to the ideal service to my fellow men, as the goal of my effort, that I may honestly and fully earn my living – my right to live among them.
Upon my honor I promise to maintain that integrity in practice which will insure to each client the finest possible stewardship of his interest.
Upon my honor I promise in the execution of every commission to strive to create beauty as well as order, character as well as safety, spiritual value as well as convenience.
Upon my honor I promise to join with my fellow architects to make our profession of greatest possible usefulness and benefit to our society, to share and disseminate all valuable professional knowledge, and to pass on to the succeeding generation the full and fine discipline of our profession, enriched because of my dedication.”
– State of Indiana Architect’s Oath
2016 State of Indiana Architect’s Licensing Ceremony
On April 23, 2016, our team member Paul was recognized in a formal architect’s licensing ceremony by the State of Indiana and the Indiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Architect’s Licensing Ceremony used to be a sort of right of passage until roughly a decade ago when the State ceased holding the ceremony. Historically, those honored in the ceremony were individuals who had become licensed in the previous year. In 2016, in conjunction with AIA Indiana, the State decided to resume the architect’s licensing ceremony!
As part of the ceremony, the newest licensees were given words of wisdom by a fellow architect as she told stories of blazing a trail as a young architect. Following the words of wisdom, each licensee was individually recognized and presented with a signed and sealed license certificate. To conclude the ceremony the licensees recited the architect’s oath (above) as the many had done previously.
2016 State of Indiana Architect’s Licensing Ceremony
We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all of those architects licensed in the past year. Having gone through the journey, we know the arduous adventure becomes more of an exciting exploration. We wish you all the best in your careers ahead.
From IMM – “At this downtown penthouse, Chris Short of HAUS Architecture and Nikki Sutton of Level Interior Architecture + Design put their modern mark on every inch—even the ceiling—to create a contemporary space rivaling the beauty of the condo’s sweeping views. Take a photo tour of the home’s most striking features. Photography by Ryan Kurtz.”
Thanks so much to the editors, writers, and LUTRON for sponsoring the article. Thanks to our client for the opportunity to retrofit this unit on 6th Floor of Allen Plaza.
11/09/11 Indianapolis, IN – Lutheran Child and Family Services (Indianapolis location) recognized with 2011 Monumental Affair Honor Award for Architecture, the highest honor of three projects recognized.
09/15/11 Dayton, OH – Lutheran Child and Family Services recognized with 2011 AIA Indiana Honor Award for Design, the highest honor of six projects by Indiana architects recognized (forty-six total entries) … congratulations to client and team.
